Musical dancing toy



Jan. 25 1927.

A. VARGA MUS ICAL DANCING TOY Filed June 4, 1925 INVENTOR filecczrmer l A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UETE STATES ALEXANDER VARGA, OF DUNGLEN, OHIO.

MUSICAL DANCING TOY.

Application filed. June 4, 1926.

This invention relates to a toy device, and more particularly to that class in which manikins perform movements to the accompaniment of suitable music which is produced by a self contained mechanical apparatus.

lts object is to provide an article of this character in which couples of miniature persons move in simulation of the waltz or similar dance, being actuated by a novel mechanism in conjunction with a suitable motor.

The device attractive in appearance, and while possessing features of considerable novelty is comparatively simple in constrnction.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of my invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device with the base portion cut away to disclose the motive mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2- of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view in section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragn'ientary view on a reduced scale of the music producing cylinder and its operative mechanism.

Fig. 5 's a vertical section through a pair of the manikins showing the method of mounting same.

Fig. (i is an enlarged fragmentary view of a cross arm with tension member and adjusting device Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings the elemental parts of the device are as follows. A frame 10 in the form of a miniature pavilion is mounted on a base 11 and has a central column 12 and a roof 13 which .is supported, at the corners by posts as shown at 14, 15, etc. A floor 16 covers a lower compartment 17 in which is located a motor 13 which is preferably of the spring actuated type having a crank 19 and a ratchet and pawl as shown respectively at 20 and 21. A cylinder 22 which is studded with pins in a specific formation is actuated by the aforesaid motor and when in motion acts in conjunction with a toothed plate Serial No. 113,643.

23 to produce a melody suitable for a dancmg accompaniment.

A drive wheel 24 engages a spur gear 25 which is secured to a vertical shaft 26, and on this shaft is mounted a cross arm element 27. Pivotally attached to the end portions of the said cross element are auxiliary arms as shown at 28 and 29, and extending upward from these auxiliary arms are shafts 33 and 34 to which are secured manikins as shown at 35 and 36.

A spring tension member is mounted on the shaft 26 below the cross arms and extending outward from the center in a position diagonal to the cross arm element.

This tension member engages the bottoms of the auxiliary arms and creates a frictional pressure thereon in such a way as to slightly restrain their movements. Ad-

justing screws 37 and 38 serve as means to regulate the pressure of the said tension member.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, an irregular slot 41 is provided in the floor 16 and the supporting shafts of the manilrin couples pass upward therethrough. Key holes are provided as shown as 42 and 43 for the adjustment of the tension member.

Referring now to Figure ('3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the manikin shaft 34 is provided with a base roller 30 which is pivotally mounted on the auxiliary arm 29, and that the lower member of the said arm is in frictional engagement with the tension member 40. The adjusting screw 38 is pivotally secured to the said tension member and passing upward therefrom is in threaded engagement with the cross arm 27 and is provided with a square tip 31 which may .be turned by means of a suitable key as indicated in the dotted line 32.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The motor is wound by means of the crank 19 and when released will rotate the shaft 96 and with it the cross arm member. The base rollers as shown at 30 will be drawn against the sides of the slot 41 by the auxiliary arms and as the cross arms swing around in rotation will be caused torevolve, first in one direction and then in reverse as the contact is made with the inner, orthe outer edge of the said slot. The ri tional eng g ment of t e l ers is n "x In creased by the resistance created by the tension member bearing against the auxiliary arms.

As the cross arm member continues to revolve, the manikin couples will move around the int rior of the pavilion and at the same time will turn with their supporting shafts thus simulating the movements of the waltz and like dances to the accompanying music provided by the instrument which is mounted in conjunction with the motive mechanism.

The degree of pressure exerted by the tension member may be changed as desired by the adjustment of the key screws as shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a device of the character described, a frame structure, a main shaft vertically mounted therein, a floor within the said frame structure having an endless slot therein extending around the said shaft and at varying distances therefrom, a transverse member mounted on the said shaft and having pivotally attached thereto auxiliary arms, vertical shafts pivotally secured to the said auxiliary arms and extending upward through the said slot, and miniature figures mounted on the said auxiliary shafts, and means to rotate the said main shaft together with the apparatus thereto attached.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame structure mounted on a suitable base, a vertical main shaft revolvably mounted within the said structure, a slotted floor within the said structure and an irregular slot extending around the said floor at varying distances from the main shaft, a cross element mounted on the said shaft below the floor and auxiliary arms pivotally attached to the said cross element, roller shafts pivotally secured to the auxiliary ams and extending upward through the said slot and having manikins thereon mounted, and a spring tension member mounted in conjunction with the said cross element and having its extremities bearing against the auxiliary arms, and means to rotate the said main shaft together with the elements thereto attached. I

3. In a device of the character described, a frame structure mounted on a suitable base, a vertical main shaft centrally mounted within the said structure, a floor surrounding the said shaft and a slot in the said floor extending around the shaft in an irregular course, a cross element mounted on the said shaft below the floor and having at its extremities auxiliary arms pivotally secured thereto, roller shafts revolvably mounted on the said auxiliary arms and extending upward through the slot and having secured to their upper portions manikins disposed as dancing couples, a tension member mounted below the cross element and having its extremities bearing against the bases of the auxiliary arms, and adjusting screws pivotally secured to the said tension member and in threaded engagement with the cross element, and a motive mechanism mounted adjacent to the said main shaft and suitably connected thereto.

4:. In a device of the character described, a frame structure in the form of a pavilion having open sides, a roof and a base compartment, a vertical shaft within the said structure and a floor surrounding the said shaft and having a slot disposed at varying distances therefrom, a cross arm member secured to the said main shaft and movable auxiliary arms thereto attached and a tension member mounted in conjunction with the said cross arm member and having its extremities bearing against the said auxiliary arms and provided with means for adj ustment in relation thereto, revolvable vertical shafts mounted on the said auxiliary arms and adapted to bear against the alter nate sides of the said slot, and manikin couples mounted on the said vertical shafts, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a device of the character described, a frame structure open at the sides and hav-, ing a base compartment, a vertical main shaft centrally mounted within the said structure and in geared connection with a motive mechanism within the said base, a musical instrument connected to the said motive mechanism and adapted to operate in conjunction with the said main shaft, a slotted floor above the motive mechanism and a cross arm member mounted below the said floor, auxiliary arms on the cross arm member and rotatable vertical shafts thereto connected and extending upward through the slot of the said floor, and a tension member bearing against the auxiliary arms, and means for the adjustment of same in relation thereto.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my si gn ature.

ALEXANDER VARGA. 

